Arts Detroit Launches Spectra Theatre Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum and with Aspergers

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Nov 15, 2018 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A new theatre education program will be offered by Arts Detroit for students on the Autism Spectrum and with Aspergers inside of their performing arts studio at PARC – Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex. Spectra will be a course to help students on the Autism Spectrum learn theatre techniques that can help them develop life skills as well.

The course will be taught by a local professional actor and arts educator, Taylor Morrow Johnson, who has been working on theatre for people with specials needs for more than five and half years. She will focus the class on the processes of character development, memorization, repetition, and creative thinking, which will help students begin to make connections between performing and self-awareness. The class will focus on using preexisting plays and characters to enhance their stage presence and help develop personal characteristics.

Ms. Johnson says she is excited for Spectra because she “has seen first-hand how influential theatre can be on people, regardless of age or ability, and theatre consistently fosters an environment of creativity, thoughtfulness, and fun.” She further believes that students who participate in Spectra will “be a part of an ensemble that will work as a team and gain a support system within each other.”

Arts Detroit Executive Director, Adriane Galea, says creating a program for students with special needs has been on her radar for quite some time. “Creating theatre is a powerful tool for developing empathy, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and creates a real sense of belonging. I have heard from parents and other folks who work with students on the Spectrum that these kids often want to get involved with theatre but don’t have traditional access to it, so I’m very proud that Arts Detroit can provide an outlet for students of all abilities.”

While Arts Detroit is currently only offering Spectra classes at their location in Plymouth, there are plans to expand programming to their Allen Park location as well as to open it up to other avenues of the performing arts.

Spectra will be offered for students ages 14 and up on Thursdays from 4-4:45 p.m. and students ages 11-14 on Thursdays from 4:45-5:30 p.m. a part of their normal programming, and for students ages 4-6 on Fridays from 11:15am-noon through Plymouth PEP, a joint programming effort between tenants at PARC and the Plymouth YMCA.

The PARC family is also excited to bring this type of programming into their building. Gail Grieger, the PARC Executive Director, said, “We are delighted that Arts Detroit will be offering the Spectra Theatre Program at our facility. This program makes a great addition to the other opportunities already provided by the performing arts and educational organizations located at PARC and will be a great resource for the entire community.”

Students interested in studying with Arts Detroit but cannot afford tuition are encouraged to contact info@artsdetroit.com for scholarship information.

Arts Detroit was founded in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation under the umbrella of Center Stage Studios. In 2015, the studio expanded into a storefront location in Allen Park and opened a second studio in Plymouth in 2018. Arts Detroit is proud of their current students and alumni, who have excelled in all areas of the arts. Students have gone on to study Music/Theatre in some of the top programs in the country and are in or working toward professional careers in the arts.

Many of our students have been recipients of the North American Invitational Championship awards in both Broadway and Classical Voice, American Guild of Music All Around winners, received ratings of 1 (the highest ranking) at Michigan Solo and Ensemble and Michigan Thespian Festival competitions, and have won more than one thousand competitive awards and trophies collectively. Arts Detroit is involved in giving back to the community as often as possible and strives to create a fun, dynamic environment in which to learn and that others can enjoy. Learn more at: https://www.artsdetroit.org/.

Terry is the managing content editor for Massachusetts Newswire™, and has been a team member of the Neotrope® News Network since March 2009. He is currently attending college in Boston (he didn't make it into MIT and blames Red Bull for not giving him wiings to do so), does not hang out at "frat" parties, or have an avatar in Second Life, but he is a huge J.J. Abrams fan, and slavish to all things pop culture.